Horrible economy, companies trying to save money and Cisco adds three new certifications (head shake and mumbling to myself)Well since I did not make the trip to Orlando since I had customer to help, a friend called me to give me the updates on the new certifications. Also Wendell did a nice write up on it also which I linked to at the bottom. I will ask him to post his thoughts on my story. But here we go; now we all know what my last story was about, I am sure no one at Cisco read it. Now they decide to add three more certifications.
I have to give it to Cisco, when the economy is down, people are trying to save money they add these certifications that will affect a lot of people. It is a definite way to add money to your bottom line, help Cisco Press and now all of those exam crams test companies will make more money to get questions and answers for these new tests. I wanted to let Cisco know that they forgot two certifications Storage and Service Provider; I am sure that we need CCNA exams for both of these also. Yes I also know that these three new exams are replacement exams for the current CCNA, but there was nothing wrong with current CCNA other than it needed a hand on lab with it. But let’s come back down to earth now,
Cisco is really diluting the certifications tracks by having way too many tests. If you are a partner with Cisco you know how many exams you have to have your staff pass to stay a partner, which I guess is ok. But when you are a regular Joe and trying to get a job or move up in your company, you have so many tests to pass. My ideas are below Cisco and take it for what it is worth. Let’s go back to one test for each level, one CCNA test, one CCNP test, CCIE Written and Lab. Yes I said one test, this would be a written and lab test proctored at the local Cisco office. So no more 3 to 5 test for a CCNP or specialization, and why do we need specializations? If the goal is to get to your CCIE, you should have all of those skills with in the CCNP.
So back to one test for the CCNP and that would include the specializations in it. This would make for a much harder and well earned test. People and companies would save money if they only had one test to pay for, yes Cisco would not make as much money, Cisco Press could not write a book for every certification out there and maybe Cisco would put the exam crams and test companies out of business if they only had one test per level. Cisco needs to remember simple is better, yes simple is better Cisco.
But we all have something to look for, that will be a Wireless CCNP and CCIE,I think that will be next. Maybe they will come up with a Wiring and Cable CCNA to CCIE?
Link to Wendell story, http://www.networkworld.comhttps://www.networkworld.com//community/node/29280
